IS lenses are the next best thing to carrying a tripod around.
Fast AF
Eye control is a plus
mirror lock
silent

kinda small. (get the battery pack)
inside looks cheap

I 'm far from being a professional photographer , and this is my first attempt at
taking other than casual snapshots of friends and family. And yet , I'm getting wonderful results (night shots, macro shots, outdoors, etc. ) with my
elan 7e. Very pleased with the 28-135 IS lens I got after reading a couple
of reviews listed here. I pretty much got the camera based on all the
positive feedback from you guys and after checking other cameras in this price range.
Anybody looking to get into photography should take a serious look at this camera. Won't be disappointed!

7 AF points
4 fps
Quiet
Custom functions
MLU
ECF (to an extent)
Great results with EX flashes...
Dedicated DOF button.
Looks like a Batman gadget when used with the battery pack and a Canon hood on the lens :)

Only the center AF point seems to be cross-hair (so AF hunts with off-center compositions). Needs battery pack for a good grip.
Remote control (RC-1) can't activate the camera with MLU enabled!

After shooting several test rolls with the camera, I have to say I am quite happy with the results, the biggest complain being the AF performance in certain situations: I shoot a lot of fashion/ portraits and I could see a great possibilities with 7 AF points/ ECF combination- the far right AF sensor would fall nicely on persons face when shooting vertically, both focusing to, and metering (partial) of it. But except the center one, all focusing points seem to be only either horizontal or vertical, wich severely diminshes (if not completely dissabbles) the AF if only one specific point is selected. Even shooting cityscapes (and not having time to manual focus) and wanting an off-center composition with, say, a tree or anithing vertical at the left or right third of the frame (nicely covered with the wide area AF) seems to be a problem, as the sensor is only horizontal... ECF works great for selecting a point, but little use of that if the point can't focus properly.
Still, I must say I am very pleased with the overall performance and especially the evaluative metering (when you don't have the time to think) and the way camera works with the 420 EX speedlite. I also really like the flash assist light when activating the DOF, it shows you the placment of shadows as well before firing the flash (even if for only a second).
And, by all means, get the Battery Pack- it improves the handling, and you dont even have to use extra batteries with it, if weight is an issue.

Customer Service

None needed so far

Similar Products Used:

EOS 5, 50, 500...

Feels solid
fast
quiet

no spotmetering

Great camera. Feels very good in my hands and good built. I think the best camera in for the price.

Customer Service

not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1000fn

AF speed
Metering
4 FPS
AI Servo
Eye Focus
Lightweight
Sturdy
Pro Look Black Body

None

This is the most incredible camera I have ever used. When I tried to upgrade from my Elan II last year to the EOS 3 I was extremely disappointed. I am an ametuer photographer who dabbles in Outdoor (animals and scenics), Portrait, Snapshots, Macro, but concentrate on Sports and this camera is the BOMB. I shoot both in color and black and white (prints only) and this camera has performed supremely on 10+ rolls of film. This weekend I shot 2 rolls of film at a track meet Firday, 2 rolls at a tennis meet on Saturday, and 1 roll at peewee basketball Sunday and the results were fabulous, even the back lit high jumpers came out great. Get the vertical grip (a must for sports), combine it with the 28-135 IS, and 420EX flash and you have a great combination that's hard to beat.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Elan II, EOS 3

Feature rich. Mid-roll rewind. ECF. Fully manual all the way to fully automatic and everything in between.

If I really had to find one, I guess it would be no lighted LCD display.

Excellent, feature rich camera for all levels of shooters. Maybe too many features for a beginner, but certainly an excellent choice for one upgrading from a semi-automatic camera or looking for total control over pictures. Price of body allows you to still put some quality glass up front without having to take out a second mortgage.

The only truly bad pictures taken with it were the ones where the camera did EXACTLY what I told it to do (ie. pilot error!). Have shot about 35 rolls through it since new and the flexibility, capability and quality of pictures are outstanding.

Love the mid-roll rewind custom function that lets you leave the leader out so you can switch films. AF is super fast with Canon lenses. Quiet. Press the shutter release too long and it WILL demonstrate it's 4fps capability for you! Predictive focus and AI servo functions work well for moving subjects. From fully manual all the way to fully automatic and everything in between including program settings, aperture and shutter priority, custom functions, bracketing, ECF, multiple exposures, depth of field and more! The Canon EOS Elan 7e is a WHOLE lot of bang for the buck.

Extended vertical grip/battery pack is a must. Especially for those, like me, with larger hands. Plus, you get the second shutter release in the vertical direction which is GREAT!

Customer Service

Never needed it yet with any of my Canon's

Similar Products Used:

EOS Elan II, EOS 888, AE-1

Good quality body
Eye control is cool!
4fps
Full Auto to Full Manual
Good viewfinder
Rock solid dials and buttons
Perfect size
Perfect price

Not all metal
Weight???
Joypad isn't that useful
Buttons layout can be improved
The AF illuminator is SCARY!
Plastic film door
AF search in low light
The tripod thingy isnt in the center, which doesnt really bothers me!

This is my first SLR, and I think it will stay with me for a long time. Its simply everything I will ever need, loads of functions, eye control not only impresses friends but also useful! Even works when wearing glasses. The body is rock solid, maybe a bit too heavy for me (for me, the light, the better!)
35 custom functions which I doubt I'll ever use, 4 fps which is fast, but not something I use often (films arent cheap!).
Anyway, for my use, I think a EOS300 would be enough. But hey, maybe a point and shoot is enough!
Also, above all, this is one handsome camera!

Customer Service

Perfect condition, no need yet!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F60
Nikon FM2
Canon G1
Olympus IS

Very quiet operation.
Well-built body.
Canon lenses.
Good value for money.
Eye control seems to work better than the EOS 5.

I would prefer the BP-300 to be wider in order to provide a better grip.
No PC socket.
Display doesn't have backlights.
"Joypad" like controls for focusing points are a little clumsy.

Bought this camera as a back up for my EOS 5. I'm quite happy with its peformance and its really good value for the money. Very capable when compared to other cameras in its class. However, this camera tends to hunt more in low light situation. The fact that it doesn't come with a PC socket also bugs me. Will it replace my EOS 5? Nope. I would think this camera is for everyone. From a beginner's first SLR to a back up for a pro.

Customer Service

Haven't used it on this camera yet. Hope not to. However, I've sent my EOS 5 in due to the faulty function dial. That was almost a month ago. I haven't got it back yet. Its taking way too long if you ask me.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 5, 500n
Nikon F90X
Tried out EOS 3 and D30 in camera shop

-fast-4fps
-really silent (even in the nonsilent mode)
-eye controlled focus points

-built for right handed people

I was really looking forward to buy this camera and I think in this category, this is the best camera you can buy right now.
This is definately a camera that is suited for beginners who would like to get into more serious photography as well as for the advanced amateur. The camera's eye controll focus reacts fast, and the controlls on the camera body are fast and easy to understand. With the right lenses (I use the Canon 28-135 IS as a prime lens,have the Canon 100-300 f/5.6L as tele and the Sigma 17-35 f/2.8-4.5 as wide) your pictures will be crisp and only experts will be able to tell the differences to the 10 times more expensive equipment (Well, you need some feeling for photography as well, thats something the camera won't do).
I got the EOS 7E about 2 month ago and shot about 20 rolls so far....this is good stuff!! The EOS ELAN 7E was and still would be my first choice as a camera for casual to semiserious amateur photography.

Customer Service

Not applicable

Similar Products Used:

-point & shoots (Pentax, Canon, etc.)
-Nikon (the model name escaped my mind)

Very fast USM focus. I bought mine after reading a lot of reviews on the internet. This camera is worth every penny.

Expensive for a beginner

The best camera right now for the money. I recommend the Elan 7e without hesitation!!!

Customer Service

great.

Similar Products Used:

n70/n90/8008.

cant even compare. canon USM system is sooo much better thank nikon.

AF Modes
Metering Modes
ECF
Look & Feel
Canon Lenses!!!!
UI

AF Hunts in lowlight/lowcontrast
AF Assist is REALLY Annoying

I have to say that I told my wife to buy this camera for me when she went to a business trip to panama without EVER HOLDING IT ON MY HANDS.
Truth is I am really impressed with it! ECF works great even with glasses (contrary to what other reviewers said) and can be configured for 5 users/setups (w/glasses, w/sunglasses, w/contacts, w/wife).
the meter is just about perfect.

Still have to try it on slower film (just shot 1 roll of 400 speed), but I'm sure it'll comeout fine.

PS. I got a cheap 35-80III 'cause I didn't have more $$$, but I'm planing on getting a 100mm f/2.8 Macro soon enough.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F100
Canon Elan (EOS 100)